Philippe Coutinho scored a quickfire double as hosts Brazil kicked off their Copa America campaign with a 3-0 victory over Bolivia.

Meh. As European Cup triumphs go, I’ve seen better… OK, I’ll stop being an unbearable gobshite. For now.

This would always have been the hardest column I’ve ever had to write.

Here’s a quote from Monday’s Irish Examiner: “There’s a mental scrapbook of past experiences that may half-convince some to fantasise, but realism will strike tomorrow whether you want it to or not.”

The one word uppermost in the minds of all Barcelona players, fans and pundits throughout this season was ‘Roma’.

Liverpool are through to the Champions League final after beating Barcelona 4-0 in the semi-final second leg at Anfield to win 4-3 on aggregate.

It’s been interesting to see the way Barca have managed their Champions League away fixtures this season because not all their matches have proved to be end-to-end goal feasts.

This has been a decent season for Lionel Andres Messi.

Manchester United managed to stifle Lionel Messi, bloodied and bowed after a nasty first-half injury, but their nemesis Luis Suarez played the pivotal part in the only goal of this Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Don’t ask how I’m feeling. You’re reading this, so I’m alive anyway. Weekly updates forthcoming.

We’ve bought four players, folks. Four, and one of them will usually be a sub.

Three key battles between Belgium and Brazil.

What this World Cup could really do with is a team to capture the imagination, says Brendan O’Brien.

Why is it always about him?

Gareth Southgate is considering dropping Raheem Sterling against Panama, judging by a note spotted at England training.

Brazil, already anxious and nervous after drawing their opening game against Switzerland, were given an almighty scare yesterday when Neymar limped off the training field with an ankle injury.

Brazil 1 Switzerland 1: Steven Zuber denied Brazil victory in their opening game of the World Cup last night, as Switzerland fought back to snatch a famous 1-1 Group E draw in Rostov-on-Don.

Brazil have spent four years trying to atone for its last World Cup match, the calamitous 7-1 defeat as hosts by Germany.

Steven Kelly on the emotions that Liverpool fans are enjoying - and enduring - ahead of kick-off.

What can a miserable old duffer do when there’s nothing to complain about?

All the latest from the action in Spain, Italy, Germany and France.

"Salah, doo doo doo doo doo doo..."

Porto were run ragged by Liverpool in the Champions League last night - here’s what Ger McCarthy took from the game.

Three points glosses over everything. Whatever you thought about the intermittently sloppy performance, it was easily enough to beat abysmal Southampton.

Liverpool always grab a shotgun and aim for their foot

Riyad Mahrez's immediate future is unclear ahead of Leicester's Premier League home clash with Swansea after he failed to land a deadline day move.

Bernardo Silva believes Manchester City are being unfairly targeted for some rough treatment by opponents.

Lose once in three months; that I can take. Gladly.

Philippe Coutinho made his first LaLiga start for Barcelona but it was Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi who stole the headlines once again in a 2-1 win against Alaves.

“Ha ha, see you’re down to a fab three now”…is that so?

Warning: This may be stuck in your head all day after hearing it!

Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre claims they signed Philippe Coutinho at a reduced cost despite his £142m (€161m) transfer fee being the second-most expensive in history.

Stoke left with a difficult decision

Philippe Coutinho can bring something different to Barcelona, according to head coach Ernesto Valverde.

Liverpool must move quickly to replace Philippe Coutinho, former Reds striker John Aldridge has warned.

Liverpool have sought to ease the pain of Philippe Coutinho's departure to Barcelona by offering fans who bought shirts with his name on a £50 voucher.

In a fixture stepped in history, at a ground where legends watch not just from the stands but from the walls and the heavens, Liverpool’s latest hero stepped forward and put his mark on the occasion.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has refused to be drawn on the future of Philippe Coutinho as speculation about another bid from Barcelona escalates.

Liverpool's top scorer Mohamed Salah (groin) and Philippe Coutinho (thigh) will miss the FA Cup derby with Everton.

Diego Costa last night made a goalscoring return to Atletico Madrid with a second-half strike in their comfortable 4-0 Copa de Rey win at Lleida.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits it was “not nice” shelling out £75m (€84m) for Virgil van Dijk but says he had little option in current market conditions.

Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino often has to play second fiddle to Philippe Coutinho as the star turn at Anfield but the Brazil international is more than proving his worth in his own way.